UNAMID and UNCT commemorate United Nations Day in North Darfur

Photo by Hamid Abdulsalam, UNAMID.

 

Photo by Hamid Abdulsalam, UNAMID.

 

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24 Oct 2018

UNAMID and UNCT commemorate United Nations Day in North Darfur

On 23 October 2018, more than 2000 people from the local community, government and various UN agencies marked United Nations Day at Abu Shouk camp for internally displaced persons in El Fasher, North Darfur.

The event was organized by UNAMID and the United Nations country team (UNCT), in partnership with the Ministry of Education.

Activities included cultural performances, a carnival and traditional songs promoting peace by students, as well as a concert by renowned Darfuri musician Halima Sasa. Information and education materials with messages of peace, including T-shirts, volley balls and exercise books were also distributed among the audience.

Addressing guests at the occasion, UNAMID representative, Musi Khumalo, read out the message from UN Secretary-General António Guterres, in which he called for a reaffirmation of the commitment to uphold the dignity for one and all, as the united nations.  He further stated that: “Conflicts are multiplying - people are suffering. But we don’t give up because we know every man, woman and child deserves a life of peace.”

UNCT representative, John Anadam, said UN agencies and UNAMID were working together to support the people of Darfur and promote peace by providing lifesaving support in the areas of food aid, health, water and sanitation, as well as assisting government with development projects.

Abubaker Hassan, the headmaster of Al Taiba Girls’ Secondary School at Abu Shouk internally displaced persons (IDP) camp, commended the UN’s efforts to assist people affected by conflict and natural disasters. He highlighted the importance of education as an instrument to promote peace and development in Darfur. Mr. Hassan underlined the importance of education in building the capacity of the youth to lead the recovery and development of Darfur.

Similar views were expressed by Abdelaziz Salim, the representative of students’ activities in the North Darfur State Ministry of Education, who thanked UNAMID and the UNCT for supporting education and the peace process in Darfur. He urged the people of Darfur to work for development and stability in the region.

On his part, the representative of Omdas at Abu Shouk IDP camp, Adam Haroun, urged all Darfuris to unite in order to achieve lasting peace in the region. He further called for freedom of expression and the right to life. 

Similar events are being held across Darfur to mark the day. UN Day is commemorated annually on 24 October to mark the anniversary of the entry into force of the UN Charter in 1945.